The Seven Warlords! Garp's Arrival

Luffy's cry of pain reached Sengoku at Marine Headquarters through the Den Den Mushi.

Hearing that sound, Sengoku already knew what Garp was doing right now.

He was actually back home, keeping his grandson company.

"Get back here as soon as possible, and look for that person on your way. I don't believe you don't know his whereabouts."

Sengoku spoke into the Den Den Mushi and hung up with a sense of frustration.

That guy was truly unreliable.

"Haven't you gotten used to it yet?"

Tsuru, a Vice Admiral and Chief of Staff at Headquarters with hair already turned gray, looked at Sengoku with a chuckle.

Sengoku glanced at Vice Admiral Tsuru and shook his head with a helpless, bitter smile.

"Forget it. I know his personality all too well, but I just can't help myself."

Vice Admiral Tsuru nodded, then shifted the topic. "According to the reports we've received, that young pirate hunter is indeed very likely a Logia-type user related to fire. It is highly probable that it is the Mera Mera no Mi."

As she said this, the smile on Tsuru's face faded, replaced by a serious expression.

Sengoku nodded.

"That is indeed the case. Being able to ignore sword slashes makes it very likely. Regardless, as long as they are a Devil Fruit user, they are worth us trying to recruit. We must avoid them spending too much time at sea and turning into a pirate; that would be a real headache."

One's gain is another's loss!

That was exactly why Sengoku felt this way.

If a young man suspected of being a Logia-type user became a pirate, it would definitely give the Navy a migraine.

But if he joined the Navy, the Navy would gain a powerful combat asset.

"Forget it, let's see what results Garp brings back." Sengoku shook his head, then looked at Tsuru. "We need to speed up the selection for the Seven Warlords."

Hearing Sengoku mention the Seven Warlords, Tsuru observed his expression.

"Doflamingo is also one of the candidates. It was brought up by the World Government; the two sides should have already been in contact."

Tsuru knew that Sengoku still harbored deep resentment over Corazon being killed by his own brother, Doflamingo. If that man truly became a Warlord, it would be impossible to take action against Doflamingo again.

Sengoku fell silent at these words.

"Accelerate the selection. Once Akainu and the others become Admirals, we need to contain the pirates' routes into the New World; that is the purpose of the Seven Warlords. At the very least, the Paradise section and the four seas must remain under the Navy's control."

Ever since Roger died, the number of pirates had exploded, making them very difficult to contain.

The simplest method would, of course, be to expand the military, but the World Government would never agree to it; after all, expansion required a massive increase in expenditures.

"Understood, I will keep an eye on that. Additionally, Crocodile and Boa Hancock have explicitly refused to come to Marine Headquarters."

Sengoku was not surprised by what Tsuru said.

Even if they were to become Warlords, they were still pirates at heart. How could they easily come to Marine Headquarters?

"Go and make the preparations!"

Sengoku waved his hand, his gaze falling upon the mountain of documents on his desk. He picked one up and casually handed it to the elderly goat standing by the table.

The old goat did not stand on ceremony; it opened its mouth, took the document, and began to chew it slowly.

Tsuru nodded, stood up, and left Sengoku's office.

"Big Sister!"

Outside, a young-looking female Marine stood at attention and called out.

"Mm, let's head back!"

Tsuru waved her hand and left with the female Marine.

The news of the change in Fleet Admiral and the addition of three new Admirals naturally caused quite a stir across the ocean.

But for the four seas, the ripples caused by this news were not particularly significant.

Most people didn't care about it at all.

Take Shimotsuki Village, for example.

No one even bothered to discuss the matter.

Dunn's training was proceeding steadily.

[Body Digitized: Your vital points have vanished. Upon taking damage, the injury is converted into a deduction of HP; panel attributes will change based on your own strength; you will not die until your HP reaches zero.]

[Current Physical Age: Fourteen years old]

[Constitution: 29 (Rapidly transforming due to certain influences)]

[Current HP: 100% (Recovering; consuming food can accelerate recovery)]

[Inherent Talent (Indomitable): When HP reaches zero, enter a brief empowered state; all your physical attributes increase tenfold; your HP will no longer be deducted; all your negative status effects are cleared; current duration: ten minutes; cooldown: one day]

[Abilities]

[Mera Mera no Mi (Proficient): A powerful Logia-type Devil Fruit ability; grants the power to transform into and manipulate fire; continuously strengthens the body; fruit drawbacks (weaknesses and resident soul) have been removed; current fruit development (17%)]

[Swordsmanship (Proficient): You have mastered the basic techniques and training methods of swordsmanship; you have gained a vague understanding of the path you intend to take in the future]

[Observation Haki (Novice): You have a preliminary perception of the energy of all things in the world]

[Armament Haki (Novice): You can slightly control the energy within your body for offense and defense]

Compared to a few days ago, his physique had increased by a full 8 points—more than he had gained in the previous month. Perhaps it was related to awakening Armament Haki and maintaining it constantly.

His perspective on his Devil Fruit ability had also improved slightly.

If he didn't use his fruit ability, relying solely on his two types of Haki, his own physique, and his swordsmanship, he already possessed the strength to hold his own in a fight.

If he utilized the fruit, at least here in the East Blue, unless he encountered someone like Garp, there shouldn't be anyone capable of defeating him decisively.

Dunn thought this, but then shook his head, driving the thought from his mind.

No, no, I can't think like that. I must remain humble.

While thinking, he casually parried the incoming bamboo swords.

After blocking the two bamboo swords swung by Zoro, the bamboo sword in Dunn's hand pivoted, catching the wooden sword Kuina had brought down on his head. The rebounding force sent Kuina stumbling back several steps.

"An opening!"

Zoro shouted vaguely, lowering his body as he swept his dual bamboo swords horizontally, aiming for Dunn's legs.

Smack!

Without even turning his head, Dunn struck back with a backhand blow.

Struck on the top of his head by the bamboo sword, Zoro felt dizzy and disoriented; he couldn't even keep his grip on the bamboo sword he was holding in his mouth, and he collapsed directly to the ground.

"This isn't working!"

After being struck hard, Zoro scrambled back up. Even though he was dazed and reeling, he still spoke up.

"What isn't working?"

Dunn turned his head, his gaze seemingly piercing through the black cloth covering his eyes.

"You keep your Observation and Armament Haki active the whole time; we can't beat you at all."

Zoro hated this feeling of powerlessness.

"Are you saying that when you encounter opponents on the sea in the future, you're going to ask them to abandon their strengths to fight you? Do you think they'll agree?"

Dunn answered directly, leaving Zoro speechless.

That was true; enemies wouldn't reason with you.

"Again!"

Kuina's voice rang out. Dunn flicked his wrist, and the bamboo sword in his hand sent Kuina flying.

"I understand!"

Zoro looked at the blindfolded Dunn and shouted at the top of his lungs.

"What are you yelling for?" Dunn picked at his ear, speechless. "Since you're fighting, you should be aiming for victory. Actually, when you're fighting, you don't need to warn your opponent that you're about to launch an attack."

Dunn's words left Zoro feeling embarrassed.

Just as he was struggling for a response, Dunn suddenly whipped his head toward the direction of the docks and ripped the black cloth from his face.

"So, they finally came."